UK employment growth beats US

The UK's employment rate is increasing faster than international competitors in Europe and the United States, the Government has said.

An analysis of the latest jobs figures showed the UK's 72% employment rate is higher than the EU average of 64%, better than the US and similar to that in Canada and Japan.

Two-thirds of women are in work - a record 14 million - compared with the EU average of 59%.

Employment minister Esther McVey said: "This country has record numbers of people in work and a growing economy.

"With our employment rate growing faster than countries like Germany and the US, I believe the UK is now the place to be for the opportunity to get a job, work your way up and achieve your dreams.

"With the number of unemployed young people falling for the last six months and 1,000 more people in private sector jobs every day since 2010, the UK is clearly the country for people who want to work hard and get on."